Tusla asks Dubliners from all walks of life to consider fostering
A new Tusla campaign is encouraging Dubliners from all walks of life to consider opening their home to a child. The campaign is launched today (11/11/14) by Minister for State for New Communities, Culture & Equality, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, TD.
The launch event will bring together current foster parents, church and community leaders to ask them help us to promote fostering and to spread the message that foster carers are a diverse group of people who come from all walks of life.
Chief Executive of Tusla – Child and Family Agency, Gordon Jeyes, says: “Tusla places a great emphasis on minimising the distress which a child being taken into care naturally feels when leaving home. In the majority of cases, the best place for a child in care is in a foster placement in their own community, where they can maintain relationships with friends, schools, sports clubs and extended family.
“Due to a shortage of foster carers in the North Dublin area, we sometimes have to place children around the country where they do not have the support of their own friends and school as they adjust to living in a foster family.
“About 20% of requests for foster placements in the area are from non-Irish backgrounds. However, there are not enough foster families who reflect this diversity. From our work with New Communities Partnership, we know that people with migrant backgrounds are often unaware that they could foster or presume that they would not meet the requirements for becoming a foster carer. We want to make people aware that anyone can apply to be assessed as a foster carer regardless of nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, disability status or whether someone is already a parent. The only criteria for applying are that you are willing and able to care for a vulnerable child.
Speaking at the event Minister of State Ó Ríordáin said: “I am delighted to be here today to add my support to this initiative.
“Foster carers are an integral part of our society and do a valuable job in helping vulnerable children.
“In our changing Ireland, with an increase in diverse backgrounds and multiculturalism, it is imperative that every effort is made to engage those from new communities in the care of our children.
“This campaign is an information based initiative highlighting a positive way that those who have found a new home in Ireland can make an additional and meaningful contribution to society.
Ends
For further information:
Sharon Waters 087 6348373